Page 80 of Vetted for Vengeance
“I don’t know what to do with that,” I admit quietly.
“You don’t do anything,” Rhys replies. “You keep doing exactly what you’re doing.”
“That feels like a lot of pressure for someone who used to shovel shit for a living.”
“You still do,” he says dryly. “Just with better equipment.”
I huff a laugh, but it doesn’t settle the feeling in my chest.
Because this… this matters.
If I mess up now, it’s not just me.
It’s the practice. The staff. The clients. The dogs.
“I could ruin this,” I say before I can stop myself.
Rhys steps closer. Not touching. Just… there.
“You could,” he agrees calmly.
My head snaps up. That’s not what I expected.
“But you won’t,” he continues. “Because you care too much about everything in this building to let it fall apart.”
I swallow hard. That feels a little too close to the truth.
“And if I do?” I push.
“Then I'll fix it,” he says, like it’s the simplest thing in the world.
Not we. Not the team. Him.
The weight of that lands differently.
Not pressure. Not expectation. Safety.
I exhale slowly, some of the tension easing out of my shoulders.
“Okay,” I nod.
Rhys watches me for a second longer, as if he’s making sure I’m steady. “We’ll need to train someone to take over some of your current responsibilities.”
The words hit instantly. Sharp and unexpected.
“You’re replacing me already?” I joke, but it comes out thinner than I mean it to.
His expression doesn’t change.
“I’m expanding you,” he corrects.
Oh.
That’s…
Worse.
Better.
